Can anyone recommend what is best practice for emptying, cleaning, and sanitizing the fresh water tanks? Also do you norally add water cleaning tablets...anything like that?
Thanks
Fresh Water Tanks
-
elia
- Deckhand
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:30 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: King George, Virginia
I have used this procedure to sanitize my Pressurized Fresh Water System, and it seems to work very well.
SAFE DRINKING WATER ON BOATS
from GLCC Fleet Surgeon, Jack Bailey, MD
Safe drinking water on cruising boats is obviously very important to all of us. In order to obtain some advice, I recently consulted an expert on the subject, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health for Sudbury and district.
Dr. Sutcliffe has kindly supplied the information, which follows:
Spring Cleaning of Drinking Water Storage Tanks
• Whether you are opening up the summer cottage or your local boat for the season, it is a must to clean and disinfect your water supply system.
• Thoroughly flush out any antifreeze that was used to winterize your boat's water tank. Always use non-toxic antifreeze to winterize.
• Super chlorinate by filling the water tank with a solution of 1 ounce of unscented household chlorine bleach per 1-gallon tank capacity.
• Turn on all faucets one at a time until a bleach odor is noticed. Keep the system pressurized and let the chlorinated solution stand for 3-4 hours in the entire water distribution system.
• Remove the aerators from the faucets and drain the tank through the sinks. This will allow for the clear flow of any bio-film that may have built up in the water lines.
• Refill the water tanks repeatedly with fresh water and flush until the water runs clear and smells clean. Use a chlorine test kit, if available, to ensure that the chlorine has been diluted to safe levels (0.1 ¬ 0.2 parts per million).
Never Assume Dock Water is Safe
• Before refilling your fresh water tank at any marina always ask questions.
• If your marina attendant does not know the source of the water supply, never assume it is safe to drink.
• Marinas located in small or remote centers may have their own private water systems. Although these systems may have some form of treatment, very few will meet the strict treatment or filtration requirements imposed on municipal systems.
• If there is any doubt about the safety of the water, boil it for at least one minute. The water can be cooled and stored in clean containers.
• As an alternative treat each tankful with chlorine bleach. Add 1 ounce of unscented household chlorine bleach per 50-gallon tank capacity. Stir to mix and let stand for at least 2-3 hours.
• Test the mixture with your chlorine test kit to ensure a free available chlorine residual between 0.1 and 0.2 parts per million.
• Individuals who do not like the taste of chlorinated water may consider the use of an activated carbon water filter after treatment.
• It should be noted that chlorination alone does not kill intestinal parasites such as giardia or cryptosporidium.
• Before using any marina water always turn the hose to waste for at least 5-10 minutes to clear the lines. The same organisms that like the water lines in your boat also like a dock supply line sitting in the hot sun.
• Maintain a logbook of marinas that you used for refilling water tanks. If your family comes down with an intestinal disorder that may be water related, contact your nearest health department.
Never use untreated surface water for any domestic purpose.
SAFE DRINKING WATER ON BOATS
from GLCC Fleet Surgeon, Jack Bailey, MD
Safe drinking water on cruising boats is obviously very important to all of us. In order to obtain some advice, I recently consulted an expert on the subject, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health for Sudbury and district.
Dr. Sutcliffe has kindly supplied the information, which follows:
Spring Cleaning of Drinking Water Storage Tanks
• Whether you are opening up the summer cottage or your local boat for the season, it is a must to clean and disinfect your water supply system.
• Thoroughly flush out any antifreeze that was used to winterize your boat's water tank. Always use non-toxic antifreeze to winterize.
• Super chlorinate by filling the water tank with a solution of 1 ounce of unscented household chlorine bleach per 1-gallon tank capacity.
• Turn on all faucets one at a time until a bleach odor is noticed. Keep the system pressurized and let the chlorinated solution stand for 3-4 hours in the entire water distribution system.
• Remove the aerators from the faucets and drain the tank through the sinks. This will allow for the clear flow of any bio-film that may have built up in the water lines.
• Refill the water tanks repeatedly with fresh water and flush until the water runs clear and smells clean. Use a chlorine test kit, if available, to ensure that the chlorine has been diluted to safe levels (0.1 ¬ 0.2 parts per million).
Never Assume Dock Water is Safe
• Before refilling your fresh water tank at any marina always ask questions.
• If your marina attendant does not know the source of the water supply, never assume it is safe to drink.
• Marinas located in small or remote centers may have their own private water systems. Although these systems may have some form of treatment, very few will meet the strict treatment or filtration requirements imposed on municipal systems.
• If there is any doubt about the safety of the water, boil it for at least one minute. The water can be cooled and stored in clean containers.
• As an alternative treat each tankful with chlorine bleach. Add 1 ounce of unscented household chlorine bleach per 50-gallon tank capacity. Stir to mix and let stand for at least 2-3 hours.
• Test the mixture with your chlorine test kit to ensure a free available chlorine residual between 0.1 and 0.2 parts per million.
• Individuals who do not like the taste of chlorinated water may consider the use of an activated carbon water filter after treatment.
• It should be noted that chlorination alone does not kill intestinal parasites such as giardia or cryptosporidium.
• Before using any marina water always turn the hose to waste for at least 5-10 minutes to clear the lines. The same organisms that like the water lines in your boat also like a dock supply line sitting in the hot sun.
• Maintain a logbook of marinas that you used for refilling water tanks. If your family comes down with an intestinal disorder that may be water related, contact your nearest health department.
Never use untreated surface water for any domestic purpose.